NORTHLAND RACING

Northern Advocate, 25 July 1935, Page 5

NORTHLAND RACING

the whangarei club WELL ATTENDED MEETING. SUCCESSFUL PAST SEASON. There, was an exceptionally good attendance of 70 at the annual meeting of the Whangarei Racing Club (Inc.), held in the Town Hall Supper Room last night. A keen interest in the welfare and progress of the club was manifested. Mr R. G. Hosking, the president, occupied the chair. The report and balance sheet, already published, were taken as read. President’s Remarks. “The club may well feel proud of the way the sport went last season,” said Mr Hosking, in supplementing the report. “We had first-class racing, good sport, and never before did we have a better class of horses. It speaks well for the progress of the sport in the district when owners send horses of the , top class to Whangarei. Here I would like to pay special tribute to the local sportsmen, particularly to Mr J. Hoey, who is a first-class trainer, has a good team, places them well and turns them out in fine order. “The totalisator returns last season were good, showing in a measure, the wisdom of the committee in retaining both the straight-out and win-and-place machines. Patrons evidently favour the two pools, although the position is being kept steadily in view by the committee. Bookmakers. “There has been much discussion concerning the reinstatement of bookmakers. If it can be proved that such a policy would assist racing it has my support, but there is some doubt as to whether the licensing of bookmakers would benefit country clubs. “I would like to see more breeding being done in the district. A certain amount is being done already, but what is required is the completion of the other half by bringing a brood mare into the district. This is an interesting and' profitable hobby. Assets Written Down. “We have written down , our ■ assets considerably—by about £ 400—which is a bold step, at a time when no attempt is being made in many directions to bolster up values and show a profit in that way. We have shown our profit by this wise writing down. Our bank overdraft stands today at £295. “The' club has been assisted greatly by ,the Minister of Finance through the Treasury Department, which, when the club has been in difficulty, has gone to the limit of concessions which it is empowered to give. The per cent, rebate to struggling clubs has been greatly appreciated. At'the same time, we realise that racing taxation is far too heavy, and through bur representatives are putting our-utmost into efforts to have this reduced. Those Who Help. “The, club is fortunate in having those who have backed it and helped it to the footing it enjoys today. lam proud to be associated with our secretary, Mr F. L. Gunn, a first-class officer and one whose loyalty to the club is without a blemish. Our caretaker, f Mr Jackman, is a loyal worker, who does well under hard conditions.” Questions Answered. In reply to Mr L. A. Johnson, the president said that, in accordance with a recommendation made by the last annual meeting, a bonus had been given both to the secretary and to the caretaker. Mr E. K. Parkes considered it was time some owners in arrears with fees to the club were placed on the. defaulters list. Mr Hosking said that when the club had allowed continuance of the indebtedness of those who really intended to pay, 6uch drastic measures were difficult. Recently, the secretary had received a cheque for fees incurred six years before. “It is better to keep owners with us, Mr Hosking said, “than definitely against us for the rest of their racing careers ” To Mr L. Weston, the chairman said that committee meetings had been well attended throughout the year. The balance sheet “and report were adopted. . , ■ , Official Personel. The election of officers resulted: • Patron Mr A. J. Murdoch, M.P., (reelected); President, Mr R. G. Hosking (re-elected); vice-president, Mr L. W. •Nelson- five vacancies on committee, Messrs K. G. M. Kelly, L. R. Nelson, M Mclnnes, T. Linnell (re-elected), and A. Mac Kay; members stewards, Messrs L A Johnson (re-elected), E. A. Simmons and A. J. M. McKay; auditor, Mr W. T. Surman. Notice of Motion. Mr Hosking gave notice of his intention to move at the next annual meeting that the club revert to an old ruling that nominations for all officers be placed in the hands of the secretary 21 days before the meeting. “Under the present system disgruntled people have an opportunity to jump someone in” he said. “If sufficient notice is given everyone has fair play, and the change is reasonable, British, and right in every way.” Ladies on Members’ Stand. Mr E. Reed moved as a recommendation that all members be allowed to take their wives to the members’ stand. The chairman said that when the membership stood between 350 and 400 such a practice would have been impossible. The accommodation of wives would be feasible now, he thought, but members had the privilege of bringing two ladies each day. The matter would be inquired into by the committee, and if there were sufficient seats on the stand the recommendation would be acted upon. Votes of Thanks. A vote of appreciation was carried to Messrs John Buchanan and Company, of London, for the presentation of a handsome canteen of cutlery. whi£h went to Mr J. Hoey, owner of the cup winner at the autumn meeting.

“They give us excellent service,” said the chairman, in proposing a vote of thanks to the Railways, “and treat the horses like first-class passengers. The arrangement we have whereby mounts for our meetings are comfortably bedded a quarter of an hour after their arrival on the platform is outstanding in New Zealand racing.”

The meeting closed at 9.40 p.m. with votes of thanks to the'president and the executive and the press.